BEES: Bridport set for triple boost

BRIDPORT are set to receive a triple boost for their first game of 2014 tomorrow with Sam Filkins, Matt Condliffe and Chris Senior all available for selection.

Boss Trevor Senior is keen for his men to start the new year in style at Hengrove Athletic (3pm) having been without the aforementioned trio for the defeat by Gillingham Town last time out.

The title-chasing Gills were pushed all the way in a five-goal thriller at St Mary’s Field and, despite the setback, the Bees manager is hopeful of a strong second half to the season.

“I said at the beginning of the season that our aim was the top six,” he said. “And with the squad we’ve got I think we should be looking that way.

“We’ve played every team in the division in either the league or cup and we have been in all of them, even if we haven’t gone on to get a positive result.

“Realistically, we are looking at a top-10 finish but if we can put a few wins together then there is no reason why we can’t go higher.”

That is a view shared by club chairman Adrian Scadding, who added: “We’re playing well and I’m pleased with the way the team is going.

“I said at the start of the sea- son we should be aiming for the top six and there is still a chance.

“I reckon we can still make it because we seem to raise our game against the top teams.

“We haven’t got a good enough team to finish first or second in this league but we are good enough to be in the top six.

“Trevor and his coaching team are doing a really good job with a dedicated group of players.”

Hengrove are just one place off the bottom of the Toolstation Western League Premier Division and have been beaten by the Bees already this season – goals from Tom Richardson and Ryan Dovell gave Bridport a 2-0 triumph in the FA Cup back in August.